Newburgh returned to East Shore Park for the first pre-season match on home soil after the previous week’s game moved to a neutral venue to enable work to be completed on the Burgh pitch. It certainly was worth the wait with the pitch looking in excellent condition, with many thanks and credit to Jim and Kenny for their hard work during the summer.

The match promised to be a much steeper lesson against Premier Division Jeanfield Swifts. Whilst Burgh matched the Perth side for a sustained spell in the first half, the superiority started to tell as the game progressed.

Newburgh did, however, manage the opening goal in the 10th minute after Andy McCallion’s ankles were clipped and the referee pointed to the spot. The Burgh number 9 dusted himself down and beat the keeper’s despairing dive to give Burgh the lead.

The lead was short lived as Mitchell was helpless to divert a dangerous ball into the box into the net in the 18th minute before a superb strike on 23 minutes put Jeanfield ahead. The lead was extended on 41 minutes after possession was lost and powerful shot could only be parried by Sean Martin with a Jeanfield striker on hand to tap home.

Burgh did keep working hard, though, and Leadbeatter had a good chance in the second half. The game, of course, was about getting minutes into the legs of players and both sides made a plethora of subs.

Jeanfield completed the scoring in the 64th minute when their left sided player was put through and held off his marker to roll past Scott Kyles in the Burgh goal.

It was a good work out, however, and another 90 towards match fitness against a very good Jeanfield side in front of a very good crowd at East Shore Park.

Best wishes to Jeanfield for the season ahead.

Owen McNally

Andy McCallion's penalty beats the Jeanfield keeper

Mackenzie Williamson

Matty Mitchell

Nichita Cotorobai

Cammy Taylor